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Title: Probabilistic Design and Analysis for Robust Design of Advanced Thermoelectric Conversion Systems

Conference ·
OSTI ID:928623

ABSTRACT Research work has investigated the impacts and effects of single- and multi-variable stochasticity on optimum thermoelectric (TE) system design for automotive and industrial energy recovery applications because many critical design and environmental parameters input to the design optimization process can be randomly variable. Analysis tools and techniques have been developed to investigate a variety of stochastic behaviors in critical input parameters, including Gaussian, Log-Normal, Weibull, Gamma, or any type of user-defined probability distribution. Recent accomplishments discussed in this work show that Gaussian input probability distributions can create non-Gaussian outcome distributions for optimum TE areas, required cold-side mass flow rates, and expected power generation; optimum deterministically-derived designs (TE areas and cold-side mass flow rates) should be significantly modified in response to stochastically variable inputs; and outcome parameter standard deviations can be quite significant and magnified relative to input parameter standard deviations. Multiple variable stochastic inputs tend to significantly increase the output design parameter variability (i.e., standard deviations). Coupled, interactive effects/impacts of multiple stochastic input parameters in this research have demonstrated that reductions of optimum TE areas by 9-10% relative to deterministic optimum values was warranted in key stochastic analyses cases studied. Reductions in required cold-side mass flow rates may also be justified. Optimum system power output also was characterized by relatively high standard deviations and variability as a result of stochastic input parameter effects on the TE design optimization process, this would be an important consideration when integrating the overall power system design with power management electronics and energy storage subsystems.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
928623
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-53436; TRN: US200811%%429
Resource Relation:
Conference: Proceedings of the Energy Sustainability Conference, 323-331
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English